Indy Play Ball Event

It's time to Play Ball!

Plans are set for a time of great youth baseball fun at Forest Manor Park in east Indianapolis for kids ages 6-12 on Saturday, June 11. Hosted by the Indianapolis Indians and Indy RBI, the free four-hour event will include multiple stations offering fun for kids, including Bat & Ball Game (using plastic bats and balls), a Home Run Derby, base-running races and much more, according to Mike Lennox, executive director of Indy RBI.

Players from the Indianapolis Indians will be on hand, as will the popular Indianapolis Indians mascot Rowdie the bear. Participants can meet the players (and Rowdie) and have their photograph taken. Youth participants will receive a gift bag with plastic bats and balls.

“We are excited to help bring this year’s PLAY BALL event to Forest Manor Park, an Indy Parks urban park where the Indians and Indianapolis Indians Charities have completed substantial field renovations in recent years,” said Randy Lewandowski, Indianapolis Indians President and General Manager. “Indians coaches, players and Rowdie are ready to play ball on June 11, and we look forward to seeing many young ballplayers join them for a day full of fun.”

“Youth games like baseball offer a wonderful opportunity for communities to come together,” said Lennox. “We’re proud to partner with the Indianapolis Indians to bring the Play Ball initiative to families in Indianapolis.”

The PLAY BALL initiative is professional baseball’s collective effort to encourage young people and communities to engage in baseball - or softball - related activities, including formal leagues, special events, and casual forms of play, according to the event organizers. PLAY BALL events have become Major League Baseball’s (MLB) signature youth engagement activity during the professional and amateur baseball and softball calendar. PLAY BALL events demonstrate the positive way the game can serve as an outlet for physical activity, fun with friends and learning how to play the sport at its most basic levels.

“This represents a terrific opportunity for both young people to learn more about baseball and for communities on the east side to come together,” said Ashley Gurvitz, Executive Director and CEO of the United Northeast Community Development Corporation, one of the supporters of the June 11 event. “We look forward to seeing kids, parents, friends and families at this fun event.”

The event features a variety of supporters, including Hamilton, a national event marketing agency, and the United Northeast Community Development Corporation.

“Youth sports like baseball help teach kids how to build confidence-raising skills and the value of teamwork,” said Jason Weddle, CEO of Hamilton. “We count it a privilege to be able to support important community-building initiatives like PLAY BALL and look forward to future opportunities.”

The event is free to the public, but online registration is recommended. To sign up, go online to https://bit.ly/PlayBallWeekendIndy  

About the Indianapolis Indians

The Indianapolis Indians are the professional Triple-A baseball club affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In continuous operation since 1902, the organization believes in creating affordable and memorable experiences for fans so they can grow closer together with family, friends and the community through the game of baseball. The Indians play their home games at Victory Field, a 13,750-seat ballpark located in downtown Indianapolis and White River State Park. The venue opened in 1996, has received numerous national accolades as one of the best minor league ballparks in the United States, and in 2021, celebrated its 25th anniversary season. The team has led Minor League Baseball in combined total attendance over the past 11 seasons. In 2018, the organization was recognized as Ballpark Digest Team of the Year. It was also named a 2019 Best Places to work by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

About Indianapolis Indians Charities

Indianapolis Indians Charities is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth and families grow stronger together, learn more and live healthier lives. The nonprofit is focused on supporting organizations in four areas: youth development, family success, education and neighborhood development.

About Indy RBI

Since 1996, Indy RBI has been the proud exclusive Indianapolis affiliate of Major League Baseball’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) initiative. Over 25,000 boys and girls ages 3-18 have played in Indy RBI, the area’s premier urban baseball and softball program. Indy RBI’s goal each year is to have 2,500 baseball and softball participants, and there is great momentum as we move into the 2022 season. To attain our goals, we must not forget our mission – to build good character, foster responsible behavior, encourage development of baseball and softball skills, encourage the enjoyment of healthy competition and teamwork, and build the values of honesty, fairness, integrity, inclusion and commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit https://www.indyrbi.org/ 
Direct link to event: https://indianapolisindians.leagueapps.com/events/3122908-pbw-indianapolis-indians-play-ball-clinic